Communication device and method

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a communication apparatus and method that allow setting for forming a wireless link to be automatically executed without requiring a special setting operation. A personal computer  1  forms a wireless link with an access-point device  3  using a wireless communication unit, and exchanges data with, for example, a server (not shown) connected to a network  4 , via the access-point device  3 . The personal computer  1  requires an SSID and a WEP KEY defined in IEEE 802.11b to be set before forming a wireless link with the access-point device  3 . The setting is executed only by placing an IC card  2  within a predetermined distance of (or momentarily in contact with) an IC-card contactless communication unit  19  of the personal computer  1 . The present invention can be applied to a wireless LAN system including personal computers, PDAs, access-points, etc.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to communication apparatuses and methods,for example, a communication apparatus and method that are suitable foruse in forming a wireless link with another electronic apparatus andcarrying out data communication therewith.

BACKGROUND ART

IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) 802.11b andBluetooth™ are known as techniques for forming wireless links among aplurality of apparatuses. In this specification, a wireless link and awireless communication refer to those that use radio waves.

IEEE 802.11b is used to form a wireless LAN (local area network) byforming wireless links among, for example, a plurality of personalcomputers, access-point devices, etc.

Bluetooth is used, for example, to exchange specified data(control-command data, text data, still-picture data, moving-picturedata, audio data, etc.) between personal computers, PDAs (personaldigital assistants), cellular phones, digital video cameras, etc.

When a wireless LAN is to be formed using the wireless link techniquesdescribed above, in which only desired ones of a plurality of nearbyelectronic apparatuses capable of forming wireless links are to belinked, in order to inhibit an unintended electronic apparatus fromgetting linked with the wireless LAN, according to one method, IDinformation, passwords, etc. are set in advance to electronicapparatuses that are to be linked to the wireless LAN.

However, it has been laborious for a user to set network configurationby entering ID information and a password to an electronic apparatus forwhich a wireless link is to be formed.

Furthermore, setting network configuration is difficult for a user notfamiliar with operating the electronic apparatus for which a wirelesslink is to be formed, and is not considered to be an operation that canbe readily performed by anyone.

Furthermore, since the ID information and password themselves areusually meaningless sequences of characters and digits, errors couldoccur when the user manually enters the ID information and password.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

The present invention has been made in view of the situation describedabove, and an object thereof is to allow setting for a wireless link tobe automatically executed without a user performing a laborious settingoperation.

A first communication apparatus according to the present inventionincludes wireless communication means for carrying out wirelesscommunication with another electronic apparatus based on a predeterminedwireless communication standard; detection means for detecting presenceof an information recording medium having recorded thereon settinginformation that is required for forming a wireless link with theanother electronic apparatus; reading means for reading the settinginformation, by contactless communication, from the informationrecording medium detected by the detection means; and setting means foradjusting setting of the wireless communication means according to thesetting information read by the reading means.

The predetermined wireless communication standard may be IEEE 802.11b.

The predetermined wireless communication standard may be bluetooth.

The contactless communication may be carried out using a FeliCA system.

The information recording medium may be an IC card.

The setting information may include at least one of ID information, apassword associated with the ID information, a user name, and a passwordassociated with the user name.

The first communication apparatus according to the present invention mayfurther include recording means for recording, by the contactlesscommunication, setting information that is required for forming awireless link with the communication apparatus on theinformation-recording medium detected by the detection means.

A first communication method according to the present invention includesa wireless communication step of carrying out wireless communicationwith another electronic apparatus based on a predetermined wirelesscommunication standard; a detection step of detecting presence of aninformation recording medium having recorded thereon setting informationthat is required for forming a wireless link with the another electronicapparatus; a reading step of reading the setting information, bycontactless communication, from the information recording mediumdetected by processing in the detection step; and a setting step ofadjusting setting of processing in the wireless communication step basedon the setting information read by processing in the reading step.

A program on a first recording medium according to the present inventionincludes a wireless communication step of carrying out wirelesscommunication with another electronic apparatus based on a predeterminedwireless communication standard; a detection step of detecting presenceof an information recording medium having recorded thereon settinginformation that is required for forming a wireless link with theanother electronic apparatus; a reading step of reading the settinginformation, by contactless communication, from the informationrecording medium detected by processing in the detection step; and asetting step of adjusting setting of processing in the wirelesscommunication step based on the setting information read by processingin the reading step.

A first program according to the present invention includes a wirelesscommunication step of carrying out wireless communication with anotherelectronic apparatus based on a predetermined wireless communicationstandard; a detection step of detecting presence of an informationrecording medium having recorded thereon setting information that isrequired for forming a wireless link with the another electronicapparatus; a reading step of reading the setting information, bycontactless communication, from the information recording mediumdetected by processing in the detection step; and a setting step ofadjusting setting of processing in the wireless communication step basedon the setting information read by processing in the reading step.

A second communication apparatus according to the present inventionincludes first communication means for carrying out wirelesscommunication with another electronic apparatus based on a predeterminedwireless communication standard; second communication means forreceiving setting information that is required for forming a wirelesslink with the another electronic apparatus from the another electronicapparatus; and setting means for adjusting setting of the firstcommunication means according to the setting information received by thesecond communication means.

The predetermined wireless communication standard may be IEEE 802.11b.

The predetermined wireless communication standard may be bluetooth.

The second communication means may be contactless communication.

The second communication means may be infrared communication.

The setting information may include at least one of ID information, apassword associated with the ID information, a user name, and a passwordassociated with the user name.

The second communication means may send setting information that isrequired for forming a wireless link with the communication apparatus tothe another electronic apparatus.

A second communication method according to the present inventionincludes a first communication step of carrying out wirelesscommunication with another electronic apparatus based on a predeterminedwireless communication standard; a second communication step ofreceiving setting information that is required for forming a wirelesslink with the another electronic apparatus from the another electronicapparatus; and a setting step of adjusting setting of processing in thefirst communication step according to the setting information receivedby processing in the second communication step.

A program on a second recording medium according to the presentinvention includes a first communication step of carrying out wirelesscommunication with another electronic apparatus based on a predeterminedwireless communication standard; a second communication step ofreceiving setting information that is required for forming a wirelesslink with the another electronic apparatus from the another electronicapparatus; and a setting step of adjusting setting of processing in thefirst communication step according to the setting information receivedby processing in the second communication step.

A second program according to the present invention includes a firstcommunication step of carrying out wireless communication with anotherelectronic apparatus based on a predetermined wireless communicationstandard; a second communication step of receiving setting informationthat is required for forming a wireless link with the another electronicapparatus from the another electronic apparatus; and a setting step ofadjusting setting of processing in the first communication stepaccording to the setting information received by processing in thesecond communication step.

According to the first communication apparatus and method, and program,presence of an information recording medium having recorded thereonsetting information that is required for forming a wireless link withanother electronic apparatus is detected, the setting information isread, by contactless communication, from the information recordingmedium detected, and setting of processing for wireless communication isadjusted.

According to the second communication apparatus and method, and program,setting information that is required for forming a wireless link withanother electronic apparatus is received from the another electronicapparatus, and setting of wireless communication with the anotherelectronic apparatus based on a predetermined communication standard isadjusted according to the setting information received.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a scheme of executing setting of a wirelesslink between a personal computer 1 and an access-point device 3 using anIC card.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example configuration of thepersonal computer 1 shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of access-point informationpre-recorded in the IC card shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing processing for setting an access point,executed by the personal computer 1.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a scheme of executing setting of a wirelesslink between the personal computer 1 and an access-point device 31 usingan IC card.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example where user information is addedto the access-point information shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a scheme of forming a wireless LAN between apersonal computer 1-1 and a personal computer 1-2 in ad-hoc mode.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing processing for forming a wireless LAN inad-hoc mode, executed by the personal computer 1-1.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of local-network informationrecorded in an IC card 2.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing processing for forming a wireless LAN inad-hoc mode, executed by the personal computer 1-2.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a scheme of forming a wireless LAN betweenthe personal computer 1 and a PDA 41 in ad-hoc mode by contactlesscommunication without using the IC card 2.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing an example configuration of the PDA41 shown in FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing processing for forming a wireless LANbetween the personal computer 1 and the PDA 41 in ad-hoc mode bycontactless communication without using the IC card 2.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a scheme of forming a wireless LAN betweenthe personal computer 1 and a PDA 71 by infrared communication withoutusing the IC card 2.

FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing an example configuration of the PDA71 shown in FIG. 14.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing processing for forming a wireless LANbetween the personal computer 1 and the PDA 71 in ad-hoc mode byinfrared communication without using the IC card 2.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows a scheme of a wireless link formed between a personalcomputer 1 and an access-point device 3 according to an embodiment ofthe present invention.

The personal computer 1 forms a wireless link with the access-pointdevice 3 by a wireless communication function conforming to IEEE802.11b, and exchanges data with, for example, a server (not shown)connected to a network 4 such as the Internet.

Before forming a wireless link with the access-point device 3, however,ID information SSID and a password WEP KEY defined in IEEE 802.11b(hereinafter referred to as access-point information) must be set in awireless communication unit 20 of the personal computer 1.

Access-point information can be set only by placing an IC card 2 havingthe access-point information recorded thereon within a predetermineddistance of (or momentarily in contact with) an IC-card contactlesscommunication unit 19 of the personal computer 1.

FIG. 2 shows an example configuration of the personal computer (PC) 1.The personal computer 1 includes a CPU (central processing unit) 11. TheCPU 11 is connected to an input/output interface 15 via a bus 14.Furthermore, a ROM (read only memory) 12 and a RAM (random accessmemory) 13 are connected to the bus 14.

The input/output interface 15 is connected to an operation input unit 16including input devices such as a keyboard and a mouse for allowing auser to input operation commands, a display controller 17 for outputtingan image signal to a CRT (cathode-ray tube) display, an LCD (liquidcrystal display), or the like for displaying an operation screen, astorage unit 18 such as a hard disk drive for storing programs andvarious data, an IC-card contactless communication unit 19 for detectingthe IC card 2 when it is placed in close proximity thereto and readingdata from and writing data to the IC card 2, a wireless communicationunit 20 for forming a wireless link and exchanging data with, forexample, the access-point device 3 by a wireless communication functionconforming to IEEE 802.11b, according to access-point information,local-network information, or the like that is set by the CPU 11, and toa drive 21 for reading data from and writing data to a recording mediumsuch as a magnetic disc 22 (including a flexible disc), an optical disc23 (including a CD-ROM (compact disc-read only memory) and a DVD(digital versatile disc)), a magneto-optical disc 24 (including an MD(mini disc)), or a semiconductor memory 25.

Furthermore, the input/output interface 15 is connected to an infraredcommunication unit 26 for exchanging local-network information, etc.with other electronic apparatuses (e.g., a PDA 71 shown in FIG. 14)using infrared signals. An optical transmitter and an optical receiverof the infrared communication unit 26 are provided outside the case ofthe personal computer 1.

The CPU 11 controls each of the components according to programs thatare stored in the ROM 12 or that are read from the magnetic disc 22 tothe semiconductor memory 25 and stored in the storage unit 18 and thenloaded from the storage unit 18 into the RAM 13, thereby executingvarious processes.

The IC-card contactless communication unit 19 may be provided outsidethe case of the personal computer 1, as shown in FIG. 1, or inside thecase, for example, on a side face thereof. Data can be read from andwritten to the IC card 2 in a contactless manner using, for example, aFeliCa system.

Furthermore, the IC-card contactless communication unit 19 is capable ofexchanging local-network information, etc. with a contactlesscommunication unit 59 of a PDA 41 (FIG. 12) when it is placed in closeproximity thereto.

Referring back to FIG. 1, the IC card 2 is sold together with, forexample, the access-point device 3, and access-point information forforming a link with the access-point device 3 is pre-recorded in the ICcard 2.

FIG. 3 shows an example of the access-point information pre-recorded inthe IC card 2, written in XML (Extensible Markup Language). In thefigure, “****” indicates ID information SSID, and “####” indicates apassword Wep key. Usually, “****” and “####” are meaningless sequencesof characters and digits.

The access-point device 3 is capable of carrying out wirelesscommunications according to IEEE 802.11b with the wireless communicationunit 20 included in the personal computer 1. The access-point device 3relays data communications between the personal computer 1 and, forexample, a server on the network 4.

The access-point device 3 can be wirelessly linked simultaneously with,in addition to the personal computer 1, a plurality of personalcomputers equivalent to the personal computer 1 (not shown, hereinafterreferred to as personal computers 1′). In that case, the access-pointdevice 3 also relays data communications between the personal computer 1and the personal computers 1′.

Next, processing for setting an access-point, executed by the personalcomputer 1, will be described with reference to a flowchart shown inFIG. 4. In step S1, the IC-card contactless communication unit 19 startsdetection of the IC card 2, and waits until the IC card 2 is detected.

At this time, when the user places the IC card 2 in proximity to theIC-card contactless communication unit 19 of the personal computer 1,the IC-card contactless communication unit 19 detects the IC card 2, andthe processing proceeds to step S2.

In step S2, the IC-card contactless communication unit 19 determineswhether access-point information is recorded in the IC card 2 detected.If it is determined that access-point information is recorded in the ICcard 2 detected, the processing proceeds to step S3.

In step S3, the IC-card contactless communication unit 19 reads theaccess-point information recorded in the IC card 2. The CPU 11 setsconfiguration of the wireless communication unit 20 according to theaccess-point information read by the IC-card contactless communicationunit 19. Thus, the personal computer 1 establishes a wireless link withthe access-point device 3, and is allowed to access, for example, aserver on the network 4 via the access-point device 3.

If it is determined in step S2 that access-point information is notrecorded in the IC card 2 detected, step S3 is skipped, and theprocessing is exited. In that case, a wireless link is not establishedbetween the personal computer 1 and the access-point device 3. Thisconcludes description of the processing for setting an access-point,executed by the personal computer 1.

FIG. 5 shows a scheme of a wireless link formed between the personalcomputer 1 and an access-point device 31 that is capable of reading datafrom and writing data to the IC card 2.

The access-point device 31, as compared with the access-point device 3shown in FIG. 1, additionally has a function equivalent to that of theIC-card contactless communication unit 19 of the personal computer 1.

Since the access-point device 31 is capable of writing data to the ICcard 2, by using the access-point device 31, in the IC card 2 havingalready recorded access-point information thereon, it is possible toadditionally record user information for forming a link with a wirelessLAN that is formed via the access-point device 31 (e.g., a user namethat is set for a user of the personal computer 1, a password associatedwith the user name, etc.).

FIG. 6 shows an example where user information is added to theaccess-point information written in XML, shown in FIG. 3. In the figure,“ABC” indicates a user name that is set to the personal computer 1, and“ABC123” indicates a password associated with the user name.

The user information to be recorded additionally in the IC card 2 can beinput, for example, from another personal computer (not shown) that hasalready been linked to the access-point device 31.

By placing the IC card having the user information additionally recordedthereon in proximity to the IC-card contactless communication unit 19 ofthe personal computer 1 as described above, the personal computer 1 isallowed to carry out wireless communications with the access-pointdevice 31 using the access-point information recorded in the IC card 2,and is also allowed to form a link with a wireless LAN that is formedvia the access-point device 31, using the user information recorded inthe IC card 2.

However, if the user name set to the personal computer 1 and thepassword associated with the user name are recorded in the IC card 2, asshown in FIG. 6, when the IC card 2 is placed in proximity to anotherpersonal computer 1′ that is equivalent to the personal computer 1,“ABC” is set as a user name of the personal computer 1′ and the personalcomputer 1′ becomes linked with the wireless LAN.

In order to avoid this situation, alternatively, of the userinformation, the password (“ABC123” in the example shown in FIG. 6) maybe held at the personal computer 1 instead of recording it on the ICcard 2. In that case, the password held is read and set when the IC-cardcontactless communication unit 19 detects the IC card 2 in which theuser name “ABC” that is set to the personal computer 1 is recorded asuser information.

FIG. 7 shows a scheme of processing for forming a wireless LAN in ad-hocmode between a personal computer 1-1 and a personal computer 1-2.

The personal computers 1-1 and 1-2 are configured identically to thepersonal computer 1. The CPU of the personal computer 1-1 will bereferred to as a CPU 11-1, and the CPU of the personal computer 1-2 willbe referred to as a CPU 11-2. Other components will be similarlyreferred to.

The processing for forming a wireless LAN in ad-hoc mode, executed bythe personal computers 1-1 and 1-2, will be described with reference toFIGS. 8 to 10. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing processing executed by thepersonal computer 1-1, and FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing processingexecuted by the personal computer 1-2.

The personal computer 1-1 starts processing when a user performs anoperation for requesting that local-network information required for thepersonal computer 1-2 to form a wireless link with the personal computer1-1 be recorded in the IC card 2.

In step S11, the IC-card contactless communication unit 19-1 of thepersonal computer 1-1 starts detection of the IC card 2, and waits untilthe IC card 2 is detected.

At this time, when the user places the IC card 2 in proximity to theIC-card contactless communication unit 19-1 of the personal computer1-1, the IC-card contactless communication unit 19-1 detects the IC card2, and the processing proceeds to step S12. In step S12, the IC-cardcontactless communication unit 19-1 records the local-networkinformation required for the personal computer 1-2 to form a wirelesslink with the personal computer 1-1 in the IC card 2.

FIG. 9 shows an example of the local-network information recorded by theIC-card contactless communication unit 19-1 in the IC card 2, written inXML. In the figure, “****” indicates ID information SSID, and “####”indicates a password Wep key.

Next, processing executed by the personal computer 1-2 will bedescribed. The processing is started when the user performs an operationfor requesting that configuration of the wireless communication unit 20be set based on the local-network information recorded in the IC card 2.

In step S21, the IC-card contactless communication unit 19-2 of thepersonal computer 1-2 starts detection of the IC card 2, and waits untilthe IC card 2 is detected.

At this time, when the user places the IC card 2 in proximity to theIC-card contactless communication unit 19-2 of the personal computer1-2, the IC-card contactless communication unit 19-2 detects the IC card2, and the processing proceeds to step S22. In step S22, the IC-cardcontactless communication unit 19-2 determines whether local-networkinformation is recorded in the IC card 2 detected. If it is determinedthat local-network information is recorded in the IC card 2, theprocessing proceeds to step S23.

In step S23, the IC-card contactless communication unit 19-2 reads thelocal-network information recorded in the IC card 2. The CPU 11-2 setsnetwork configuration of the wireless communication unit 20-2 accordingto the local-network information read by the IC-card contactlesscommunication unit 19-2. Thus, a wireless LAN is formed between thepersonal computer 1-1 and the personal computer 1-2 in ad-hoc mode.

This concludes description of the processing for forming a wireless LANin ad-hoc mode, executed by the personal computer 1-1 and the personalcomputer 1-2. Obviously, it may be such that the processing describedabove as executed by the personal computer 1-1 is executed by thepersonal computer 1-2 and that the processing described above asexecuted by the personal computer 1-2 is executed by the personalcomputer 1-1.

FIG. 11 shows a scheme of a wireless LAN that is formed in ad-hoc modeby contactless communication between the personal computer 1 and a PDA41 without using the IC card 2. More specifically, when the PDA 41 isplaced in proximity to the personal computer 1, contactlesscommunication is established, and local-network information isexchanged, whereby configuration for wireless communication is set.

FIG. 12 shows an example configuration of the PDA 41. The PDA 41includes a CPU 51. The CPU 51 is connected to an input/output interface55 via a bus 54. Furthermore, a ROM 52 and a RAM 53 are connected to thebus 54.

The input/output interface 15 is connected to an operation input unit 56for allowing a user to input operation commands, a display 57 forshowing an operation screen, a storage unit 58 for storing programs andvarious data, a contactless communication unit 59 for exchanginglocal-network information, etc. in a contactless manner with the IC-cardcontactless communication unit 19 of the personal computer 1 when it isplaced in proximity, a wireless communication unit 60 for forming awireless link and exchanging data with the wireless communication unit20 of the personal computer 1 by a wireless communication functionconforming to IEEE 802.11b, according to local-network information, etc.that is set by the CPU 51, and to a drive 61 for reading data from andwriting data to a recording medium 62.

The CPU 51 controls each of the components according to programs thatare stored in the ROM 52 or programs that are read from the recordingmedium 62 and stored in the storage unit 58 and then loaded from thestorage unit 58 into the RAM 53, thereby executing various processes.

Processing for forming a wireless LAN in ad-hoc mode by contactlesscommunication without using the IC card 2, executed by the personalcomputer 1 and the PDA 41, will be described with reference to FIG. 13.

In step S31, the IC-card contactless communication unit 19 of thepersonal computer 1, under the control of the CPU 11 based on anoperation performed by the user, enters a mode for sending local-networkinformation by contactless communication.

Meanwhile, the contactless communication unit 59 of the PDA 41, in stepS41, under the control of the CPU 51 based on an operation performed bythe user, enters a mode for receiving local-network information bycontactless communication.

In step S32, the IC-card contactless communication unit 19 of thepersonal computer 1 starts detection of the contactless communicationunit 59 of the PDA 41, and waits until the contactless communicationunit 59 is detected and contactless communication is established.

At this time, when the user places the PDA 41 in proximity to theIC-card contactless communication unit 19 of the personal computer 1,the contactless communication unit 59 of the PDA 41 is detected andwireless communication is established, and the processing proceeds tostep S33.

In step S33, the IC-card contactless communication unit 19 sendslocal-network information required for forming a wireless link with thecontactless communication unit 59 of the PDA 41.

In step S42, the contactless communication unit 59 of the PDA 41receives the local-network information sent by the IC-card contactlesscommunication unit 19. In step S43, the CPU 51 sets networkconfiguration of the wireless communication unit 60 according to thelocal-network information received by the contactless communication unit59. Thus, a wireless LAN is formed between the personal computer 1 andthe PDA 41 in ad-hoc mode.

This concludes description of the processing for forming a wireless LANin ad-hoc mode by contactless communication without using the IC card 2,executed by the personal computer 1 and the PDA 41. Alternatively, itmay be such that the processing described above as executed by thepersonal computer 1 is executed by the PDA 41 and that the processingdescribed above as executed by the PDA 41 is executed by the personalcomputer 1.

FIG. 14 shows a scheme of a wireless LAN that is formed between thepersonal computer 1 and a PDA 71 in ad-hoc mode by infraredcommunication without using the IC card 2. That is, local-networkinformation is exchanged between the personal computer 1 and the PDA 71using infrared rays, whereby configuration for wireless communicationsis set.

FIG. 15 shows an example configuration of the PDA 71. The PDA 71, ascompared with the PDA 41 shown in FIG. 12, includes an infraredcommunication unit 81 instead of the contactless communication unit 59.The infrared communication unit 81 exchanges local-network informationwith the infrared communication unit 26 of the personal computer 1 byinfrared communication.

The components of the PDA 71 other than the infrared communication unit81 are denoted by the same numerals as the corresponding components ofthe PDA 41, and thus descriptions thereof will be omitted.

Processing for forming a wireless LAN in ad-hoc mode by infraredcommunication without using the IC card 2, executed by the personalcomputer 1 and the PDA 71, will be described with reference to FIG. 16.

In step S51, the infrared communication unit 26 of the personal computer1, under the control of the CPU 11 based on an operation performed bythe user, enters a mode for sending local-network information byinfrared communication.

Meanwhile, the infrared communication unit 81 of the PDA 71, in stepS61, under the control of the CPU 51 based on an operation performed bythe user, enters a mode for receiving local-network information byinfrared communication.

In step S52, the infrared communication unit 26 of the personal computer1 waits until communication with the infrared communication unit 81 ofthe PDA 71 is established.

At this time, when the user places the infrared communication unit 81 ofthe PDA 71 in proximity to and directs it toward the infraredcommunication unit 26 of the personal computer 1, communication isestablished between the infrared communication unit 26 and the infraredcommunication unit 81, and the processing proceeds to step S53.

In step S53, the infrared communication unit 26 sends local-networkinformation required for forming a wireless link with the infraredcommunication unit 81 of the PDA 71.

In step S62, the infrared communication unit 81 of the PDA 71 receivesthe local-network information sent by the infrared communication unit26. In step S63, the CPU 51 sets network configuration of the wirelesscommunication unit 60 according to the local-network informationreceived by the infrared communication unit 81. Thus, a wireless LAN isformed between the personal computer 1 and the PDA 71 in ad-hoc mode.

This concludes description of the processing for forming a wireless LANby infrared communication without using the IC card 2, executed by thepersonal computer 1 and the PDA 71. Alternatively, it may be such thatthe processing described above as executed by the personal computer 1 isexecuted by the PDA 71 and that the processing described above asexecuted by the PDA 71 is executed by the personal computer 1.

The present invention can be applied to, without limitation to personalcomputers and PDAs, any type of electronic apparatuses including, forexample, cellular phones, digital video cameras, television receivers,video recorders, microwave ovens, and air conditioners.

Furthermore, although IEEE 802.11b is used as a wireless communicationstandard in the embodiment, other wireless communication standardsincluding, for example, IEEE 802.11a, IEEE802.11g, and Bluetooth may beused.

The series of processing steps described above may be executed either byhardware or by software. When the series of processing steps is executedby software, a program constituting the software are installed from arecording medium onto, for example, a computer embedded in specialhardware, or a computer such as a general-purpose computer that allowsvarious functions to be executed with various programs installedthereon.

The recording medium may be, for example, as shown in FIG. 2, a packagemedium such as the magnetic disc 22 to the semiconductor memory 25having the program recorded thereon, distributed for providing theprogram to a user separately from the computer. Alternatively, therecording medium may be a ROM, a hard disc, or the like having theprogram recorded thereon, incorporated in advance in a computer andprovided to a user.

In this specification, steps of the program recorded on the recordingmedium may include, as well as processes executed sequentially in thedescribed order, processes executed in parallel or individually withoutlimitation to processes executed sequentially.

In this specification, a system refers to the entirety of a plurality ofapparatuses.

Industrial Applicability

As described above, according to the present invention, setting forforming a wireless link can be automatically executed without requiringa user to perform a special setting operation.

1. A communication apparatus for carrying out wireless communicationwith another electronic apparatus based on a predetermined wirelesscommunication standard, the communication apparatus comprising: wirelesscommunication means for carrying out wireless communication with theanother electronic apparatus based on the predetermined wirelesscommunication standard; detection means for detecting presence of aninformation recording medium having recorded thereon setting informationthat is required for forming a wireless link with the another electronicapparatus; reading means for reading the setting information, bycontactless communication, from the information recording mediumdetected by the detection means; and setting means for adjusting settingof the wireless communication means according to the setting informationread by the reading means.
 2. A communication apparatus according toclaim 1, wherein the predetermined wireless communication standard isIEEE 802.11b.
 3. A communication apparatus according to claim 1, whereinthe predetermined wireless communication standard is bluetooth.
 4. Acommunication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the contactlesscommunication is carried out using a FeliCA FeliCa system.
 5. Acommunication apparatus according to claim, 1, wherein the informationrecording medium is an IC card.
 6. A communication apparatus accordingto claim 1, wherein the setting information includes at least one of IDinformation, a password associated with the ID information, a user name,and a password associated with the user name.
 7. A communicationapparatus according to claim 1, further comprising recording means forrecording, by the contactless communication, setting information that isrequired for forming a wireless link with the communication apparatus onthe information recording medium detected by the detection means.
 8. Acommunication method for a communication apparatus for carrying outwireless communication with another electronic apparatus based on apredetermined wireless communication standard, the communication methodcomprising: a wireless communication step of carrying out wirelesscommunication with the another electronic apparatus based on thepredetermined wireless communication standard; a detection step ofdetecting presence of an information recording medium having recordedthereon setting information that is required for forming a wireless linkwith the another electronic apparatus; a reading step of reading thesetting information, by contactless communication, from the informationrecording medium detected by processing in the detection step; and asetting step of adjusting setting of processing in the wirelesscommunication step based on the setting information read by processingin the reading step.
 9. A recording medium having recorded thereon acomputer-readable program for a communication apparatus for carrying outwireless communication with another electronic apparatus based on apredetermined wireless communication standard, the program comprising: awireless communication step of carrying out wireless communication withthe another electronic apparatus based on the predetermined wirelesscommunication standard; a detection step of detecting presence of aninformation recording medium having recorded thereon setting informationthat is required for forming a wireless link with the another electronicapparatus; a reading step of reading the setting information, bycontactless communication, from the information recording mediumdetected by processing in the detection step; and a setting step ofadjusting setting of processing in the wireless communication step basedon the setting information read by processing in the reading step.
 10. Aprogram for allowing a computer that controls a communication apparatusfor carrying out wireless communication with another electronicapparatus based on a predetermined wireless communication standard toexecute processing comprising: a wireless communication step of carryingout wireless communication with the another electronic apparatus basedon the predetermined wireless communication standard; a detection stepof detecting presence of an information recording medium having recordedthereon setting information that is required for forming a wireless linkwith the another electronic apparatus; a reading step of reading thesetting information, by contactless communication, from the informationrecording medium detected by processing in the detection step; and asetting step of adjusting setting of processing in the wirelesscommunication step based on the setting information read by processingin the reading step.